Heart Failure Nurse Specialist

Job Overview
University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust is delighted to offer a fantastic opportunity to work with us.
Please see below for detailed job description of the role.

Main duties of the job
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a substantive Band 6 Heart Failure Nurse Specialist. We are looking to recruit a motivated and innovative individual who is passionate about working collaboratively to provide patient-centred care and evidence-based treatment for heart failure patients.

The UHS Heart Failure Team is a specialist multidisciplinary team commissioned by UHS and Hampshire Isle of Wight ICB to provide care and management of patients with heart failure within both UHS as well as in the community in Southampton and South West Hampshire.
The nurses are both hospital and community-based and have the opportunity to rotate between the two areas.

The aim of this integrated model of service is to provide expert, individualised effective care and treatment to reduce length of stay in hospital, prevent avoidable admissions and enable patients and their families/carers to manage their diagnosis and improve their quality of life.

The team comprises of specialist nurses, consultant cardiologists, a palliative care consultant, a pharmacist and administrative support staff. This post provides the opportunity to learn about heart failure as a specialism and develop as an autonomous clinical decision maker with the support of a multidisciplinary team.

Working for our organisation
University Hospital Southampton is one of England's largest acute teaching Trusts, offering a wide range of learning and development opportunities to support your career aspirations.
Located on the south coast with an international airport and direct rail links to London, Southampton offers an ideal setting to live and work, with the New Forest, South Downs and Jurassic Coast.

We believe that using technology wisely shows strong time management and commitment to innovation. However, personalizing your recruitment application to highlight your unique skills and experiences is crucial. Relying too heavily on generic, AI-generated content instead of drawing from your own strengths and accomplishments may lead to your application being rejected if multiple candidates present identical or similar information.

At UHS we’re committed to providing a flexible working environment where possible. Whether you are balancing family, study, or your wellbeing with your career, we want to support you so you can help our patients.

At UHS, we proudly champion individuality, recognizing that outstanding care is only possible with a diverse, inclusive team. We’re committed to creating an anti-racist, anti-discriminatory environment where everyone feels valued, safe, and empowered to make a meaningful impact in our communities. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to join us in building a healthcare community where everyone can belong, thrive, and contribute.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

• The successful candidate will ideally have clinical assessment skills. However, the history taking and physical assessment qualification can be completed as part of their development and competency if necessary.
• They will have experience of managing the signs and symptoms of the syndrome of heart failure and caring for cardiac patients.
• They will be an effective and caring communicator. Ideally, they will have an advanced communication qualification, knowing that they will often need to engage in important conversations with patients and their families and carers and within the multidisciplinary team.
• Both autonomous decision making as well as enjoyment of team working is essential. Candidates will be professional role models. They will share skills, work collaboratively across care groups and between primary and secondary care, and teach colleagues, all of which is essential for an engaged effective team.
• They will need to have a driving license as multi-site working is necessary.

Specific to this role, we are open to discussing flexibility in the hours that you work. Please talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you need, and we will explore what’s possible for the role and service.

Person specification
Trust Values
Essential criteria

• Patient First
• Always Improving
• Working Together

Qualifications, Knowledge And Experience
Essential criteria

• Registered nurse on relevant part of the NMC register
• Degree qualification or equivalent 120 credits at L6
• Post registration qualification within area of speciality or equivalent experience
• Completion of all Band 5 (preceptorship) competencies
• Provide evidence of supporting/managing a range of learners in practice
• Provide evidence of supporting colleagues to promote effective learning in practice
• Extensive post registration experience within specialist area
• Knowledge of current issues within the acute health service
• Understanding of personal accountability
• Confident of own knowledge base, aware of learning needs and seeks guidance when appropriate
• Able to critically review and communicate clinical information

Desirable criteria

• Registered on MSc Pathway – completion of HTPA Competencies
• Act in the role of Practice Assessor or supporting the progression of learners/supporting challenges as needed
• Counselling qualification
• Palliative care course
• IT training
• Change Management, clinical practice development
• Multidisciplinary team working
• Interest in nurse-led care
• Organisational/strategic awareness
• Clear about professional accountability and autonomous practice components of role